A San Francisco-based technology executive has triggered widespread debate online after admitting that he declined his wife’s request for a holiday, despite having a retirement portfolio worth nearly $9.8 million.
Kevin Xu, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha AI, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that revealed his financial breakdown — a massive sum in his 401(k) retirement account contrasted with very limited liquid cash. According to the screenshot he posted, Xu had around $3,000 in his current account and approximately $296 in savings, while his retirement balance stood at $9.8 million.
The tech CEO described the situation through a mock conversation with his wife, where he refused a vacation, suggesting that despite appearing wealthy, most of his money was inaccessible. Xu, a Stanford graduate with a stated net worth of $10.9 million, implied that his predicament highlighted the difference between long-term assets and immediate financial flexibility.
His post, however, drew sharp criticism and ridicule across social media platforms, with many questioning his attitude towards money and relationships.
One user commented, “Why not enjoy yourself while you have energy? You could die at 50.”
Another person wrote, “When will you enjoy your money? When you’re too old to be active? Money is a tool for freedom, not a trophy for your grave.”
A third critic remarked, “Don’t make sense. This is pure greed. Don’t want to enjoy life a little because you want to save up every penny until you’re older. Wait until you realise you won’t be able to do as much as you could have done in your young days.”
Others expressed disbelief that someone with substantial wealth would deny his spouse a trip. “If I have 9.8 million, I’m taking my wife wherever she wants to go — always,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Posts like this are so stupid. What’s the point of having $10 million in your 401(k) that you can only use when you can barely enjoy life anymore? No one is saying you should overspend, but a holiday once in a while won’t hurt. You never know what might happen tomorrow.”
As discussions spread, many users highlighted the misunderstanding between retirement funds and spendable income.
Meanwhile, a 401(k) plan is a retirement savings scheme in the United States that allows employees to invest a portion of their salary for the long term. Employers often match contributions to encourage participation, but early withdrawals are usually penalised, restricting access until retirement age.
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